Is the U.S.A. in a "Recession" Yes/No???????

[Chevy_Finatic79]

I'm just curious to see what people around the map think on this subject.

by all means leave vote and a voiced opinion on why you voted.

I did not post this thread to be a smarta$$ or a bad guy I seriously want to know what people think.

I already know this is a touchy subject to the sensitive types so if you dont want your feelings or views hurt or questioned do not participate in this thread.

I personally think our society is on the brink of crumbling and everyday our "American" way of life deminishes just a little bit more and the more money we pump overseas the quicker it happens. I think the government is digging a hole that we can't get out of anytime soon.

[bradrhale]

the definition of recession is for the gross domestic product to fall for 2 consectutive quarters. that has not happened yet. however, everyone in the US says that we are in one, except for the president. i think things are hard and will continue to go for the worse until our dollar strengthens or somethings happens with oil.

[greasemonkey]

Im in agreement with you buddy.

[junior3382]

Was the video game choice a direct slap at me? Hmmmmm I expected more! LOL.....

[72'CaminoKid]

by definition no, by practical means, close to it. so i picked maybe......

but i do not think war is the main reason for it. the US foreign policy of throwing money at everything to make it better (starting with the marshall plan after WWII) coupled with not spending the that money at home to solve our own problems already creates debt.

then you have the issue of flat out american greed. sure the american dream is to make money, live the good life all that good stuff, the issue comes in when people will stop at no costs to do that and greed takes over honesty. people get ripped off at stores every day, hard working americans providing quality labor and production constantly lose their jobs to machines and foriegners so that manufacturers can make their products cheaper and sell them for more. now you have more people with no income trying to buy things that cost more. we have a cash flow issue here

still on the subject of greed.... the housing market. i dont say banks are to blame, i dont say the people are to blame, i say both are = at fault..... the banks were greedy giving out loans to people they knew could barely afford the payments and dooped them into the loans with adjustable interest rates. if they could barely afford it from the start they definately cant when the rates double or more. but this is where the blame goes towards the people. 1) people shouldnt accept adjustable interest rates, thats asking for trouble 2) if they werent so greedy, they wouldnt try and buy a home they could barely afford anyways. you've gotta learn to live within your means and be humble. who cares if you dont have the biggest house out of all your friends. that doestn mean anything.

sure, the war is an issue because its costing alot of money. do i agree with the war, yes. do i agree with how it is being run, maybe not. but one thing is for sure, if we didnt retaliate, we would be run over by terrorists already. back during ww2 and other wars we were involved in, the people on the homefront made sacrifices. things we're not doing, again costing more money.

welfare, what a joke, its handed out way to freely to people not deserving and not handed out to some who do need it.

theres so much more i could talk about but it'd take forever. and i'm not saying that everyword of this is definite and applying to every single american bc theres always exceptions, but for the most part these are big issues..... i also am not intending to step on any toes as i'm just stating my opinion not trying to argue.

[Chevy_Finatic79]

Iv'e been asking people I know ever since I posted this thread if they think we are in a recession and about 90% say yes even tho it's not by definition. people arent running out and buying a bunch of goods they are saving their money for gas and food

[Fordin Mazda]

Well, my buck is still higher than your buck... I think Dubya is sittin low enough to go down as the Worst dictat er um I mean president in history.

[bulachip]

Our economy is largely based on perception. If most americans feel that we are headed to into recession than we will end up there. When people think things are getting bad they act to protect themselves and as a result do not stimulate the economy as much.
As far as how to fix it: we need to jumpstart our economy. Bush put into place his economic stimulus plan but I am afraid it will not work. He is giving americans cash to spend and most people will end up spending on foregin goods. For example, people will buy new TV's well..... that $1000 will not go back to the us it will go overseas to whoever made the TV.

I think we should have invested in our infrastructure instead. There is no way to outsorce labor! We should start up government projects building highspeed railways, new highways, wind power generators and the like. This would give more jobs to US citizens and help imporve our country at the same time.

We are the best Country in the world we just need to act like it!!

[bradrhale]

i agree. i dont think the stimulus plan will work like they want it to. let me rephrase that. it wont work they way we want it to. funny that we are getting this at the beginning of driving season. did yall know that cheneys main money maker is halliburton?? also funny he was so excited about signing off on this stimulus plan. personally, i think it is about time we go through a recession. i wish it would go ahead and come through and not linger around. if it would happen in the next 6 months, we should be out of it by the end of 2010 and things will go back to the way they were. would be nice to have money left over at the end of the day instead of paying $4 a gallon for gas, $8 for a hamburger, $15 for a haircut. i remember 10 years ago, gas was .99, hamburgers were .99 and haircuts were 6.50 at any place.

we are not the best country in the world. you think you own something?? can you honestly say that you own your own land?? stop paying taxes on it and see how long YOU own it. a government that we have is supposed to be people respresenting the people. they come to us and find out what we want and represent us accordingly. when was the last time they asked for your advice?? they do it themselves by bypassing other governmental entities. im sorry but that seems more like a totalarian (spelling??) government.

[bulachip]

I have to travel a bunch for work and while I agree that under the current administration things are not transparent and in general pretty self serving all in all here in the USA we have it pretty good. Brad it sounds like you get involved but many do nothing but sit on the couch and *****. People need to act up if they are not happy. Many in the US are just fat and happy and content to sit around. That is exactly why Bush can get away with all he does. People should be outraged by the **** that goes on but all in all very few actually stand up.